Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar emphasized the urgent need for concrete and verifiable measures to prevent Afghan territory from being exploited for terrorism targeting neighboring countries, especially Pakistan. He made these remarks during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Afghanistan meeting held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday.
Expressing deep concern over the presence of terrorist groups within Afghanistan, Dar recalled Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He cited the recent deadly attack in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in multiple casualties and injuries, as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by terrorism originating from the region. These incidents, he noted, highlight the pressing need for decisive action against terrorist networks and their safe havens.
In a significant development, the deputy prime minister urged the Afghan Taliban to fulfill Afghanistan’s international obligations, cease support for terrorist organizations, and remove restrictions on women and girls that contradict Islamic principles and the traditions of Muslim society. He also called on Afghan authorities to foster politically inclusive governance and facilitate the resettlement and integration of Afghan returnees.
Dar further stressed the importance of adequate international funding to address Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs and support its socio-economic progress. Reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding policy, he affirmed the country’s commitment to a stable and prosperous Afghanistan that enjoys peace internally and with its neighbors.
Currently in New York as part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s delegation for the 81st UNGA session, Dar is accompanying the prime minister, who arrived late Monday and is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 25. The delegation has engaged in multiple meetings on the sidelines, focusing on bilateral relations, regional security, and other diplomatic issues.
Meanwhile, Dar also addressed the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, expressing gratitude for their continued support and that of the organisation’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission for the Kashmiri people. He highlighted that Kashmiris have awaited the right to self-determination under the UN framework for nearly eight decades.
He accused India of attempting to alter the demographic makeup of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) through policies implemented after August 5, 2019. Dar pointed out that Kashmiri leaders and youth face targeting under stringent laws, while India employs various tactics to change the region’s demographic structure. He further alleged efforts to undermine the Muslim cultural and religious identity in IIOJK and suppress journalistic voices, with international observers being denied access to the occupied valley.
Dar also condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), describing it as a dangerous escalation. He emphasized that the treaty is a binding international agreement with no provision for unilateral suspension. Referring to the Court of Arbitration’s reaffirmation, he noted that unilateral actions cannot negate the treaty’s obligations, including those related to the Western Rivers. Dar underscored that international commitments must be honored in good faith and cannot be disregarded when inconvenient. He stressed that India cannot use domestic laws to override United Nations Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir or evade its treaty obligations through unilateral measures.
Reflecting on the Pakistan-India conflict in May 2025, Dar warned that the unresolved Kashmir dispute could lead to severe consequences. He also criticized India for making unfounded allegations against Pakistan last year without proper investigation, while Pakistan responded responsibly and proportionately in self-defense.
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